Injuries

[thfcsteff]

I'm OK with Delap actually. He could end up a Callum Wilson or Danny Ings type player but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. He could also end up at the next level above.

I think the bigger question is why Ange's system is so broken without a Solanke type number 9? I remember the times when Kane was missing. Poch just dealt with it and put a system together with guys Dele, Son, Eriksen, Lamela etc. The goals kept coming and in some ways it was enjoyable watching the solution.

Why does Ange keep getting a pass for these gaps in his management skillset. It's not our fault he ignores so many chapters of the manager playbook. Where are his solutions to very normal problems? We've spent hundreds of millions.

I don't remember a time when Poch had to deal with Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Lloris and Kane out at the same time for long stretches. It's a case of the whole spine missing for periods of time to my eye. We played last season without a Solanke 9.

Thursday? I am with you. The failure to make the squad effective was poor.

 

[thfcsteff]

I suspect Tel has been signed as a long term replacement for Son.

I expect a few outgoings this summer so I think we should still have money for Delap and a proper defensive midfielder. Especially if we are able to bring Mitchell in on a free to provide competition at left back. I don't think we need much more than that.

I most certainly hope he is being signed for a position of that nature (albeit that would not fit with his wanting a wide left player who stays wide). Tel is naturally off the left or even right IMO, a support striker/drifter.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I don't remember a time when Poch had to deal with Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Lloris and Kane out at the same time for long stretches. It's a case of the whole spine missing for periods of time to my eye. We played last season without a Solanke 9.

Thursday? I am with you. The failure to make the squad effective was poor.

When Kane was out he had moura and llorente to do the donkey work and Sonny to score
When we lost a CB we had at least 2 others to cover
Erisken was always fit as was dele

 

[thfcsteff]

When Kane was out he had moura and llorente to do the donkey work and Sonny to score
When we lost a CB we had at least 2 others to cover
Erisken was always fit as was dele

GREAT point re: Moura, who even if ineffective always put a shift in.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

GREAT point re: Moura, who even if ineffective always put a shift in.

He was a presence
He annoyed the opposition
Tel doesn’t do that
Son doesn’t either
You can’t play a team and make it easy for them and unfortunately tel does that because he ain’t a CF and Sonny runs away from the defenders now
Id start Scarlett over both
Ange won’t though

 

[Jurgen the German]

I think he may get loaned out.

That would be a big mistake IMO. He will probably be better than all of our wingers within 6-12 months.

 

[Jurgen the German]

I don't remember a time when Poch had to deal with Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Lloris and Kane out at the same time for long stretches. It's a case of the whole spine missing for periods of time to my eye. We played last season without a Solanke 9.

Thursday? I am with you. The failure to make the squad effective was poor.

It’s been reported that one of the key reasons why Liverpool went for Slot was that he had an impressive track record of keeping players fit when he managed Feyenoord. Can’t help but compare the contrasting fortunes with our squad where we have been ravaged with injuries two seasons running. It’s been well documented that Celtic had a wretched time with injuries when Ange managed them as well. So at what point does Ange take at least SOME responsibility for all these mounting injuries?

 

[thfcsteff]

That would be a big mistake IMO. He will probably be better than all of our wingers within 6-12 months.

He is 17 and needs to be managed carefully.

 

[billyiddo]

That would be a big mistake IMO. He will probably be better than all of our wingers within 6-12 months.

Won't get better without a good deal of game time

 

[Jurgen the German]

Won't get better without a good deal of game time

Which he should get next season IMO. We’re not exactly stacked with decent wingers.

 

[Jurgen the German]

He is 17 and needs to be managed carefully.

Personally I don’t think he’s had enough game time this season. I get we have to manage his minutes but he should have got more.

 

[Chrissivad]

Personally I don’t think he’s had enough game time this season. I get we have to manage his minutes but he should have got more.

I agree, at the moment I would rather see him get game time with the academy if he is only on the bench for a number.

 

[johnola]

Can I just say, I don’t like mention of fit players by name in this thread.

(Spins anticlockwise five times pledging fealty to the Lords of the Lines and the Grass).

 

[Muttley]

I don't remember a time when Poch had to deal with Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Lloris and Kane out at the same time for long stretches. It's a case of the whole spine missing for periods of time to my eye. We played last season without a Solanke 9.

Thursday? I am with you. The failure to make the squad effective was poor.

You're right. He didn't have mass defensive issues, but he had a normal share especially midfield. Poch did make Wimmer and Davinson look really good. Sanchez played almost an entire season with Jan alongside him. Rose was always missing as well through injuries. We would have had defences of Walker, Dav, Jan and Davies regularly with Dier sitting in midfield for Wanyama, and Winks covering for Dembele who was often missing.

It wasn't perhaps how fans painted it. They also forget how Poch worked on the training ground to move Dier from a number 6 who dropped into the defence to a a RCB alongside Toby in a back 3. Poch even played Dele as a number 6 against Dortmund and he was MoTM. I remember that match as a former Spurs and Norwich player came in my empty local and the 2 of us watched it together.

Where is this inventiveness from Ange?

 

[Finney Is Back]

That would be a big mistake IMO. He will probably be better than all of our wingers within 6-12 months.

If he gets loaned out then he might be yes. If he stays then he risks not getting the football to develop.

He still has lots to learn in terms of positioning and decision making. Has great control and dribbling ability, is a good passer and very good finishe but is still a long way from being a PL ready player.

 

[thfcsteff]

You're right. He didn't have mass defensive issues, but he had a normal share especially midfield. Poch did make Wimmer and Davinson look really good. Sanchez played almost an entire season with Jan alongside him. Rose was always missing as well through injuries. We would have had defences of Walker, Dav, Jan and Davies regularly with Dier sitting in midfield for Wanyama, and Winks covering for Dembele who was often missing.

It wasn't perhaps how fans painted it. They also forget how Poch worked on the training ground to move Dier from a number 6 who dropped into the defence to a a RCB alongside Toby in a back 3. Poch even played Dele as a number 6 against Dortmund and he was MoTM. I remember that match as a former Spurs and Norwich player came in my empty local and the 2 of us watched it together.

Where is this inventiveness from Ange?

I think the answer (without wanting to sound glib) is that he isn't Poch! Especially not that Poch. I remain trenchant in my view that Poch never got the appreciation he deserved...